SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara men's basketball won their fifth straight game Tuesday against Idaho State, their longest streak since winning six in a row last season from Dec. 3 to Dec. 28, 2024. Despite a poor shooting performance, the Broncos locked down defensively only allowing 55 points, their lowest since giving up 50 to Portland last season (2/6/25). Redshirt sophomore guard Christian Hammond led the charge with 16 points, his fifth straight game of the season in double figures, while redshirt freshman forward Allen Graves totaled career bests in points (11) and steals (4).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first half saw four lead changes and three ties as the Broncos (5-0) struggled from the floor shooting 13 of 39 (33%) from the field and 1-14 (7%) from three.
• Santa Clara used a 7-0 run midway through the half to take a 19-13 lead at the 7:33 minute mark after a three pointer from Thierry Darlan. However, a 7-2 spurt put Idaho State (2-2) right back in it.
• The Broncos closed the half on a 6-0 run after back-to-back lay-ins from Allen Graves, heading into the break with a 30-22 lead.
• An Eliajh Mahi layup extended the Bronco lead to 38-26 at the 15:50 mark in the second half, for their largest lead of the night to that point.
• An-and-one bucket from Jamison Guerra capped a 12-2 Bengals run at the 6:13 mark to cut the Bronco lead to 46-42, as the Broncos went over five minutes without a bucket.
• Two free throws from Christian Hammond extended the Bronco lead to 52-44 with 4:49 left, and a trey from Martin Kheil cut the lead to five with 3:40 left. However, that's as close as the Bengals would get as the Broncos answered with a huge trey from Hammond, to extend the lead to eight with 1:51 left, and ran away with the 64-55 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Christian Hammond led the Broncos with 16 points, his fifth straight game of the season in double figures.
• Allen Graves had a career best 11 points, and a career high four steals.
• Sash Gavalyugov drew his first career start, scoring six points on 2-of-7 from the field.
• KJ Cochran totaled a career best six points on 3-7 shooting.
• Martin Kheil led Idaho State with 15 points, their only player in double figures.
• Santa Clara shot 4-of-26 from three (15.4%), their lowest since shooting the same percentage at LMU last season.
• The Broncos shot 23-66 (34.8%) from the field, their lowest since shooting 21-66 (31.8%) against San Diego on Feb. 3, 2024.
• Santa Clara outrebounded the Bengals 43-32 and have won the battle on the glass in each game this season.
• Santa Clara held the Bengals to 18-46 shooting (39.1%), the lowest since allowing 23-59 (39.0%) against Fresno State last season.
• The Broncos have now led at the break in every game this season.
• The Broncos finished with 12 steals, their third game this season with 10 or more steals.
• The Broncos improve to 5-3 all time against Idaho State and 43-13 all time against opponents from the Big Sky.
• This is Santa Clara's best start to the season since opening the 2023-24 season 6-0.

 
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

Hear from Coach Sendek on tonight's win??#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/rbzRt6AiYM

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 19, 2025

 
UP NEXT: The Broncos conclude a three game homestand Friday against Louisiana. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. PT.